Brassiere



Feb. 1, 1944.

R. E. LAFFobfi 2,340,332

BRASSIERE Filed Dec. 2, 1940 4 creating mas Feb. 1. 1m

T OFFICE nasssmna Resins 8. Laffoon. San Diego. Calif. I Application December a. 1940. Serial No. scam 1 Claim. (Cl. H2)

This invention relates to garments in the nature of a brassiere which is specially fprmed of a group of novelly cut sections, and the primary object of the invention is to assemble such sections-in a manner permitting the producer to accurately fit the wearer.

' One of the important aims of the invention is to provide a brassiere wherein is incorporated a specially formed bust encircling band having secured thereto a pair of walls which form breast receiving pockets, which walls may be varied in size for the purpose of altering the capacity of said pockets.

Another important aim of the instant invention is to provide a garment of the aforementioned character that isstrong, durable, may be worn without objectionable pressure upon parts of the body aifected. and which is quickly fitted and constructed. L v

Another object of this invention is to provide a brassiere having a pair of breast receiving pockets interconnected along a vertical line of juncture between the breasts by separable means in the nature of a slide fastener so that the pockets thereof may be so manipulated as to render the garment useful as a nursing brassiere.

A still further object of this invention is'the provision ofa brassiere having a pair ofspeclally formed pockets above a bust encircling band. which pockets are supplemented by fabric shields disposed beneath the arms of the wearer in such manner as to properly conilne comparatively large breasts and to overcome the objection inherent in such garments where only the two limited pockets are found.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a brassiere having a specially formed bust encircling band and shoulder straps connected thereto. a portion of said straps being ,in the nature of a longitudinally, outwardly arched stiffening strap stitched directly to the walls of the breast receiving pockets,

' receiving pockets of the garment.

The specific manner of constructing thebrassiere and the form of the parts constituting the garment are important and are additional objects of the invention. The preferred way of a garment of the abot e defined character is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a brassiere made in accordance with the present. invention.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the pocket forming sections of the brassiere.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of another section of the pocket forming elements.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one part of the band of the brassiere.

Fig. .6 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on line VI-VI of Fig, 2.

Fig. 7 is a similar view taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of one side of the brassiere illustrating a modified form of the invention: and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the central portion of the brassiere embodying a further modification and illustrating the .manner of separably interconnecting the two breast One of "the most prevalent problems in fitting brassieres lies in the inability to form accurately sized pockets to support large or pendulous breasts without subjecting the wearer to localized strains. Manufacturers of custom built brassieres will find the present invention especially useful and efllcient in supporting and confining either normal or mal-formed breasts, without the objection just mentioned, and after a series of sizes have been established. any condition may be met with desired results.

The garment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, comprises a bust encircling band l2, the length of which must be determined by measuring the wearer and which must be tight enough when in place to adequately support the breasts under which the forward stretch of this band is disposed; The free ends of band I! are secured togather at the back of the wearer by conventional fastening means, shown in Fig. 2. Hooks i4 and eyes it are employed, and an elastic insert it compensates for slight variations in measurements and also contributes to the comfort of the wearer,

Band I! is specially made and comprises four of sections C, such as that shown in Fig. 5. These sections 0 are cut from fabric material and are identical in size and shape. All of the edges of section C are intumed no fraying can occur.

Sections 0 are each provided with an upwardly in form. The greater elasticity at the base of insert in cooperates with the form of the two 7 sections of the band I! in holding the lower portion of the band against the body of the wearer as the upper marginaledges arch. transversely and outwardly beneath the breasts of the wearer.

prior to stitching sothat The lower, edges 22 of section C on each side of the center line. of the brassiere curvedownwia dly and outwardly to such a degree that fullness is imparted to the hereinafter described sections separates the breasts, but effectively supports thesame because band I! is arched both longitudinally and transversely to underlie ,the lower regions or bases of the breasts of the wearer as the outer portions are shaped within the pockets.

The breast receiving pockets 80 are each made in an identical manner unless some physical condition requires that one be larger or smaller than the other. These pockets each comprise a wall wherein is incorporated sections A and B. each of which is made in the form of a modified triangle as illustrated herewith. The bases of these substantially equilateral triangles are arched or curved so that when the same are stitched together, the same will present an outwardly curved line which extends outwardly to present a peak for the contained breast.

When both pockets are properly formed, the lines of stitching 32 interconnecting curved bases of sections A and B approach each other as the supporting band if is approached.

A flexible stiffening strip 84 is secured to the inner face of each wall of pockets 30 and overlaps the line of connection between curved edges 36 and 38 of sections A and B respectively. The lines of stitching 40 pass through stiffening strip 34 on each side of the stitching 32 which interconnects sections A and B. One end of strip 34 extends with the marginal edges42 and 44 of sections A and B respectively between superimposed sections C of band i2. Two rows of stitching 46 secure together the upper edges of sections C of band l2, and the lower edges .42 and 44 of sections A and B. The lower end of strip 34 is therefore anchored to band I! while the upper end thereof is secured to one end of shoulder strap 48, the other end therefor is fastened as at 60 to that portion of band I! which extends a,eso,sss

1 each section B at the vertex of the triangular across the back of the wearer. Thus, a support is afforded for the pocket for each breast of the wearer through bandi2, strip 34 and shoulder strap 48. y

The material from which sections A and B are created is relatively light, yet strong enoughto impart a retaining or forming function for the contained breasts so that the uplifting or holding force of band I! and the aforesaid associated parts is supplemented and proper contour is obtained without gathering or the employment of darts.

Edge 52 of sections A is along the upper portions of pockets 3!] and extends from the upper end of strip 34 to a point on band I! beneath the arm of the wearer.

When large or wide apart breasts are to be supported and contoured, the sizes of sections A may be altered by lengthening edges 42 and 52,

all without affecting sections B. Danger of bulg- I ing under the arms is thereby prevented.

Edge 54 of each section B extends from the upper end of strip 34 toa oint on a projected form and these two edges II are secured together by stitching is. An anchor strip 40' is positioned across the uppermost portion of insert is and across anchoring edges 58 of sections B. This strip insures that the central portion of the brassiere will be held in an upright position and further presents means for holding sections B of pockets 80 in place along a line between the breasts of the wearer so that a distinct line of demarkation will be established. This strip is applied after the walls of pockets 30 are assembled with band I! and lines of stitching 82 further stiffen this vertical,'narrow, zone of juncture. The anchor striplil extends across the apex of insert I8 and Joins the upper points of the triangular salients of the two parts of the band l2. The lower end of strip 60 is at-the section line shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 7 illustrates how the parts C, l9 and 80 form a strong connection at a point where strain is most prevalent.

In fitting brassieres having parts made as above set down, sections A and B must receive particular attention. The degree of curvature of edges 36 and 38 will govern to the fullest extent the manner in which breasts contained in pockets 30 will project forwardly aboveband l2. These convex bases of triangular sections A and B therefore, are cut full enough to make a pocket of -a capacity which will mold and contain the Where exceedingly fleshy breasts are to be conflned in a brassiere embodying this invention, it has been found desirable to supplement the parts above described by a fabric shield I0 which ex tends beneath the arm of the wearer and occu-' pies the normally open space between edge 52 of section A, the upper edge of band i2, and the lower portion of shoulder strap 48. This shield 10 may be secured to brassieres of the type illustrated in Fig. 1, without altering the walls of pockets 30 nor any other part of the garment.

If it is desired to make a nursing brassiere, the zone of connection along strip 60 has a slide fastener 12 to releasably hold together the free edges of the material formed by the parts on each side of this central vertical line. The lower mar-- ginal edge of band l2 is continuous, however, so

that when slide fastener 12 is in the position shown in Fig. 9, band if will notbe completely severed transversely. Thus, either the right or left pocket 30 may be swung away from a position in front of the breast and when the brassiere is to again assume a normal position, slide fastener 12 merely manipulated to hold together the parts thereof.

One skilled in the art will readily determine from the foregoing description and the illustrated embodiments of the invention herewith, that brassieres made in accordance with this invention, present solutions of problems that have long been troublesome. Band I! becomes a supporting and control band. The major force required to support the breasts is imparted by the upper part of sections C of this strong, curved member, which cooperates with straps 48 in establishing adequate, stable yet flexible fabric units. It is possible to construct brassieres in accordance with this invention which will accommodate various size persons and while the three forms illustrated herewith have been described, it is desired to be limited only by the spirit oi the invention" and the scope oi. the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

A brassiere comprising a body encircling, twopart band, each part thereof having an upwardly extending terminal triangular salient portion having its apex at a point between the breasts of the wearer asvparts oi the band on each side of the upwardly extending portions underlie and support the lower regions 01' the breasts; a pair or fabric walls, forming breast-receiving pockets,

' stitched together along a line projecting upwardly from the apexes of said parts of the band and stitched along their lower edges to the upper edges of the band parts respectively; a shoulder strap interconnecting the upper edge or each so transverse outward arching to underlie each breast when the lower edge is in normal position tightly against the body 01 the wearer; and an anchor strip joining the uppermost portions of the salients of the band parts and extending upwardly alongthe stitched-together edges of the 7 breast receiving pocketsto stiilen the same.

ROXINE E. LAFFOON. 

